What's For Sale?

We all like a thumb through the classifieds of a Sunday morning. Here’s some nice things we’ve seen coming up for sale soon.

2013 Mercedes AMG Wagon - One of the GQ family has decided that it is time for pastures new and wants to sell his AMG Wagon. She’s just had a GQ enhancement detail, and has full Mercedes service history. Please do get in touch if you'd like to find out more.

1968 Dodge Charger R/T - Be still my beating heart, There would definitely be one of these in my dream garage. 440ci V8 monster from the late 60s – in fact; scrap that, this car would be in my dream garage – What a beaut!

2021 Toyota GR Yaris - Delivery miles on this Toyota Yaris GR. Future classic? We can’t predict, but if you want to roll the dice on an investement car, this might not be a bad place to try.

1991 BMW E30 325i - A nicely presented, higher miles car. The modifications are subtle and reversible if not to your taste, with current keeper for the past 5 years. Another of those cars that people look back on with very fond memories. Here’s your chance!

1999 Honda Accord Super Tourer – Now for something a bit different; a genuine BTCC “Super Tourer” car. Driven by Peter Kox in the 1999 BTCC. Raced recently in the historic touring car championship. Anyone want to lend me £100K?

Need a hand selling your car, drop us a line to see if we can help.

A positive from COVID??

It’s very rare that we buy into these cars as investments, we buy what we buy because we like them, or they trigger a memory for us from the past. Well that’s certainly true in my case. Predicting what cars will rise in value is like picking the right horse in the grand national – it’s doable but it’s not an exact science.

Well the coronavirus pandemic (sorry I try not to bring it up unless absolutely essential) seems to have been a blessing to the classic car market. Hexagon classics are reporting an “unprecedent demand for good quality classic cars” over the past 12 months, and prices at the recent Silverstone Auctions sale at Stoneleigh Park would simply echo that. 

As I said at the beginning; not many of us simply buy a car to make money on. We like to know our money is in a sensible place and if it goes up, then so be it. But from the insurance side of things, if you do have an agreed value on your car, it might well be in your interest to take another look at it, and make sure it is a fair reflection of current market values.

Latest arrivals - June

A very warm welcome to our latest members and their toys. Here’s what come through the doors this month

We're quite proud of this one

When the owner of this Jaguar XE asked us about detailing his car to remove the swirls, we naturally said “yes” and welcomed her in with open arms. We then saw the swirls, our jaws hit the floor. We can confidently say that it is probably one of the most in need of attention that we have had in the bay and it was going to be no small task to put it right. The owner is a lifelong Jag fan, and his son is now naturally following suit. I really like this era of Jag design - along with the XJ, and the F type the design team really were firing on all cylinders when they put pen to paper on these.

The story goes that the owner had bought it from a car supermarket and had asked them to machine polish the car prior to him taking delivery of it. I think what they heard was “can you rub a kitchen scourer over my car please”. The non metallic black paint is infamously soft, so caution is required when you wash them. This had not even heard the word “caution” before and wore the swirls as a consequence.

We decontaminated the car, machine polished it, then added a ceramic top coat to try and give the black a bit of a chance to repel things in future. The results are amazing, and it really goes to show what can be achieved with a keen eye, a bit of care, and some of time.

Take a look for yourself.

Local Experiences

Looking for an excuse to head on out in the car? Here’s another local recommendation that’s helped get us through many a lunchtime “what shall we have” conversation.

Ermines Cafe & Stores

Good For: Locally sourced produce, sandwiches, cakes, coffee, a quaint place to stop for lunch. They also have an extensive selection of grocery staples - certainly more picturesque than Tesco!

Distance: Broxbourne Site - 15 mins (11 miles)/ Ware Site - 5 mins (3 miles)/ Buntingford Site 15 mins (12 miles).

Address: 39 Ermine Street, Thundridge, Ware, SG12 0SY

Contact: 01920 745042

Welcome Graeme! #TeamGQ

It’s been in the oven for a while but I’m thrilled to announce that we’ve made our first hire! We met Graeme on the car club scene some 10 years ago and what struck me right away was how immaculate he kept his car! The connection quickly developed and it seems there wasn’t much this guy couldn’t do – he writes, he’s an automotive photographer, knows his way around a Mac and a socket set alike and has an eye for detail like you’ve never seen! However, above all else, he’s a simple car fan like you and I.

Graeme joins us as our Operations Manager (check us out!) and along with Richard and I will be on tap to support your every need. Do please join me in welcoming him to the gang as I look forward to introducing you to him on your next visit.

Here’s a note from the man himself:

So this is my platform to write something about me. We’ll start with the basics, I’m Graeme, I live in St Albans, I love cars, cameras, and planes. I’m not one for long winded introductions so we’ll keep this short and sweet.

I’m a lifelong petrohead and spent many a Sunday stood on Paddock Hill Bend at Brands Hatch watching Joachim Winkelhock slide his E36 around in the BTCC. I’ve always loved BMWs but the E39 M5 is the first I’ve ever owned. I came close to owning a Techno Violet M3 a decade ago, but didn’t take the plunge into BMW ownership ‘til the E39 came along in 2011.

I’m a big fan of naturally aspirated engines - ideally if it could be a V8 I’d be that bit happier. Due to a certain "anatomical deficiency" and the need to compensate for it; I prefer larger cars so hatchbacks aren't really my thing. I think i’m a bit of a closet American too. late 60s muscle cars really are my bag, but anything from across the pond will spike my interest.

As much as I might try to deny it I’ve also got a bit of a detailing habit. I do like my cars to be as spotless as I can get them even if it’s the ‘daily’ Mondeo.

When we meet in person prepare your answer to this question ‘Have you ever been to Le Mans?’ I’m a huge motorsport fan and have travelled the world watching it: from NASCAR at Talladega, to V8 Supercars at Bathurst. But not much beats the GTs at the Le Mans 24hrs in my eyes. Seemingly we’re back to the naturally aspirated V8 thing again. Maybe I’m GQ’s resident Hillbilly?

I’m looking forward to supporting you and your cars adventures,

Graeme.

Help us grow

Help us grow

Earning a new owners trust takes time but one aspect we’re keen to build on is our Google reviews.

If you’re happy with our service we’d love you to leave us a positive message. If you have time please do post on them all – these little big things really do help:

Epping: Review here.
Broxbourne: Review here.
Ware: Review here.
Buntingford: Review here.
Bishops Stortford: Review here.

Of course, if there’s some broader feedback you’d like to share please email us directly: Tim@GQCarStorage.co.uk

Thank you once again for working with us.

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Half Board

For those of you looking to guarantee your space in advance, considering taking a hiatus or simply want peace of mind that you have ad hock space reserved for holiday’s or your winter return or some extended project work then you’ll be pleased to know we have you covered.

In short, you get to keep your garage space and access to the wider GQ world while your car is out in the wild. Yep, you guest it, for half the price.

What’s included:

1. Your garage space guaranteed for your arrival, return, annual vacations etc. 24/7.

2. Exit notice period waved when downgrading.

3. Current care preferences maintained.

4. Ongoing access to the GQ team diagnostics and advice.

5. Event invites and newsletters.

6. Coffee/lounge access.

7. Ramp access.

8. Local lifts to and from stations, service garages etc.

9. Part storage.

10. Continued access to our insurance discounts.

11. Continued MOT and service reminders.

12. 10% off GQ time.

For more info and to continue the GQ support give us a call or email 24/7.